NHTSA: Car Crashes Cost People $900 Per Year

According to new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Americans paid $277 billion in economic costs, or $900 per person, as a result of car crashes.Crashes related to speeding resulted in the heaviest economic loss, costing $59 billion or $191 per person. Drunk driving is still a huge culprit, accounting for 18 percent of the total economic loss from car crashes with a price tag of $49 billion. Distraction was the third largest reason, accounting for $46 billion in economic costs. Crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and poor seatbelt use were far behind but also significant sources of economic loss.According to NHTSA, the economic cost from crashes in the U.S. equals 1.9 percent of the entire $14.96 trillion U.S. Gross Domestic Product in 2010. This figure was calculated based on productivity losses, property damage, medical costs, congestion costs, legal costs, insurance costs, and other cots. But not all costs are represented by dollars, NHTSA says. The harm from loss of life and decreased quality of life resulted in an additional $594 billion among Americans in the U.S. that year.In 2010, 32,999 people died and 3.9 million were injured in car crashes. Around 24 million vehicles were damaged. As the economy improves and more people are out on the roads, these numbers may continue to increase.Source: NHTSA

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